National Women's Political Caucus of Washington

CLARK COUNTY

Candy Bonneville
Battleground City Council, Pos. 7

Candy Bonneville wants to run for the Battleground City Council to make sure that the city works to protect populations that are disadvantaged such as elders, survivors of domestic abuse, etc., and she wants to be an accessible member of the Battleground City Council for her constituents. Her background in grassroots activism motivates her to meet with as many residents as she can to represent them and the local issues they care about.

Candy currently serves as the Chair of the 18th District Democrats where she has worked to build grassroots advocacy for candidates and citizens through her work on voter registration, voter engagement, and the campaigns for local candidates in her community, especially candidates who support policies that will improve the circumstances of women.

Linda Glover
Vancouver City Council, Pos. 5

Linda Glover is a longtime business woman, nonprofit executive, and community champion running for Position 5 on the Vancouver City Council. Since arriving in Vancouver in 1995, she has worked closely with the community. She is the executive director of the nonprofit Gifts For Our Community and leads the organization that includes multiple small businesses that reinvest by giving grants in human services, education and the arts.

An active volunteer and champion of all that Vancouver has to offer, Linda has served on the boards of Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Learning Avenues Childcare Centers, and the Fort Vancouver National Trust Board of Trustees. She is also a member of Friends of Hospice, the Task Force for Vancouver Arts Museum, and the Clark County Chamber of Commerce.

She was named one of the Vancouver/Portland Metro Area’s 100 Most Powerful Women by the NW Women’s Journal in 2007 and received the Altrusa Service Award in 2008, and the Women of Achievement Award in 2010

Joyce Lindsay
Washougal City Council, Pos. 4

After campaigning on the goal to enrich her community, Joyce Lindsay was elected to the Washougal City Council in 2011. During her term she has worked diligently to pursue that promise by serving on the Public Works and Community Development Committees, and acting as the liaison to the Cemetery and Parks Boards.

Lindsay is also an active member of Washougal community groups: she serves a member to the Camas-Washougal Rotary Club, and is current president of the Columbia Gorge Women’s Association. She cares deeply about the future of Washougal, and about communicating with her constituents in a way that brings about community-grown policy.

Molly Coston
Washougal City Council, Pos. 7

Molly Coston is a highly involved community member of Washougal, and has made the welfare of her city a priority in her life and career. She served as a Washougal City Council member from 2005-2011, President of the Camas-Washougal Rotary Club from 2014-2015, and President of the League of Women Voters of Clark County from 2007-2010.

As a council member, Coston’s top priorities were dealing with difficult budget issues, attracting and retaining businesses, and preserving Washougal’s small town charm. She has worked in and encouraged community involvement among her fellow citizens since that time, and seeks the office again to finish the work she began.

KING COUNTY

Carol Gregory
Washington State House, 30th LD

Carol Gregory has dedicated her life to improving our public schools and helping young people transition from school to good-paying jobs. Carol is a former elementary school teacher, the former President of the Washington Education Association and worked in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. She helped small businesses as a manager for the State Small Business Improvement Council and Community and on the King County Workforce Development Council. She also worked for Governor Booth Gardner and helped found CityYear, a service program for young people. In the last few years, she served as the Executive Director of Burst For Prosperity, a poverty-reduction initiative. After a period of mismanagement, Carol was elected to the Federal Way School Board using her previous experience in education and management to get the Federal Way School District back on track. She lives with her husband, Gil, in Federal Way.

Michelle Hilhorst
Bellevue City Council, Pos. 5
Dual Endorsement 

Michelle Hilhorst, general manager, IT Operations at AT&T, is the vice-chair of Bellevue’s Planning Commission. Hilhorst has worked on Bellevue’s Comprehensive Plan, addressing issues including neighborhood safety, transportation, utilities, environmental services, parks and housing. She is an advocate for police, fire and paramedic services; reducing gridlock on streets; protecting the environment; helping businesses create new jobs; quality education; developing housing for all income levels; and protecting and expanding parks.

An active volunteer, Hilhorst has served as the president of Newport Hills Community Club and the PTSA vice president at her children’s school. She helped launch the Friends of Newcastle Library and served on its board of directors. She has been awarded the U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award multiple years.

Vandana Slatter
Bellevue City Council, Pos. 5
Dual Endorsement 

Dr. Vandana Slatter is a community leader, public school parent, and biotech and health professional. A Doctor of Pharmacy (UW), Vandana has worked for the past twenty-five years in the biotech industry bringing multiple parties together, making sense of complex information, and achieving safe and efficient solutions to best serve patients.

In addition, Vandana serves on the Overlake Hospital Foundation’s Board of Trustees and has helped raise funds supporting the Cancer Center at Overlake and mental health programs on the Eastside. Vandana earned an Executive MPA Intern to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, and was appointed to the Washington State Board of Pharmacy (now the Pharmacy Assurance Commission) by Governor Christine Gregoire in 2007. She has also served on the Foundation Board of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington where she advocated for medically accurate health education in schools.

Jennifer Robertson
Bellevue City Council 
Position 7 

Jennifer Robertson is a two-term member of the Bellevue City Council, first elected in 2009. Her fellow Councilmembers elected her Deputy Mayor for 2012-2014. She has been active with two key transit projects: enabling a light rail tunnel downtown and improving the Eastlink light rail route.

Jennifer has also led the City on budgetary issues, ensuring that long-neglected neighborhood infrastructure projects were funded and public safety services enhanced. She also has helped leverage taxpayer dollars by supporting public-private partnerships including Bellevue Boys & Girls Club, Bellevue Botanical Gardens and others. Jennifer also helped provide care for Bellevue’s most vulnerable by increasing funding for human services and affordable housing. 

Darla Green
Burien City Council, Pos. 6

Darla Green grew up watching her mom work a minimum wage job to put food on the table for her family after her father passed away. She got her first job at 15 to help make ends meet, and was the first person in her family to go to college. While attending Seattle Central Community College, Darla was an active volunteer with YouthCare and First Choice School for transitional families. Darla went on to open her own successful skincare business, working as a licensed Master Aesthetician in Burien. A strong supporter for Main Street businesses in Burien, Darla is running to make Burien a safer, more vibrant place to work, live and play for the families that call it home.

Marlla Mhoon
Covington City Council 
Position 1

Marlla Mhoon was first elected to the Covington City Council in 2005, then was elected in 2006 after teaching in the Tahoma School District in Maple Valley for 25 years and with a strong record of engagement in educational advocacy, environmental conservation, and leadership development. She represents the City of Covington on several regional committees with the Suburban Cities Association, the King County Flood Control District Committee, and is Co-Chair of the Water Resource Inventory Area Green Duwamish Ecosystem Forum. Council Member Mhoon is committed to developing a plan for long-term growth for the City of Covington.

Luisa Maria Bangs
Des Moines City Council, Pos. 2
Dual Endorsement

Luisa Bangs has lived in Des Moines for over 15 years, and she recently celebrated her 30th anniversary of working at Sea-Tac International Airport for the Port of Seattle. For the past four years, Luisa served on the Des Moines Arts Commission, working to bring and sustain art and music to the city. Luisa is a strong supporter of local economic development and public safety as well as improved access to quality education for Des Moines' K12 students.

Dini Duclos
Federal Way City Council
Position 7

Council Member Duclos has served on the Federal Way City Council since November 2007 and is committed to finding regional solutions to improve social services, and to improve the economy of Federal Way by investing in improvements to the downtown area and support for local businesses. 

She previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Multi-Service Center, a respected non-profit community action organization in South King County. In addition to her local focus on Federal Way and South King County, Council Member Duclos is highly active on regional policy with the Sound Cities Association and has served her community in several service organizations including the Federal Way Rotary, Federal Way Planning Commission, and the Interagency Council of the Committee to End Homelessness.Council Member Duclos has a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Connecticut and has lived in Federal Way for 14 years.

Phillippa Kassover
Lake Forest Park City Council
Position 4

A former TV journalist covering state and local politics, Phillippa Kassover is a retired UW employee who worked at UW Technology, UWTV and the UW School of Nursing. Phillippa has been active in progressive politics for a number of years, working in Colorado and Washington state on local elections. Phillippa is running to make Lake Forest Park a more liveable community that is welcoming for all residents, including affordable housing and access to social services. On Council, she will work on bettering options for transportation, environmental protections and conservation, and supporting Main Street businesses.

Jeanne Kohl-Welles
King County Council, Pos. 4

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, has represented the 36th Legislative District in the Senate since 1994 after serving for three years in the state House of Representatives where she was Majority Whip. She spearheaded some of the strongest human trafficking laws in the country while in the state legislature, which were eventually modeled into federal law. 

She is the secretary, and past chair, of the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee, chairs the Joint Legislative Systems Committee and is co-chair of the Washington State Institute for Public Policy Board. Jeanne is also a member of the UW Women’s Center Anti-Trafficking Task Force and the Statewide Coordinating Committee on Sex Trafficking and the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Statewide Coordinating Committee.

Jeanne worked as a public school teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District where she was a training and demonstration teacher and earned a school administration credential at California State University Fullerton.

Julie Wise
King County Director of Elections

A lifelong resident of King County, Julie Wise has over 13 years of experience administering local elections. She is the current Deputy Director of King County Elections. Julie is committed to building on the innovation that King County Elections has pioneered over the past ten years. She is passionate about increasing the number of ballot drop off locations, engaging limited-English proficient populations in elections, and identifying new tools and practices to bring more King County residents and citizens into the democratic process. Julie is a member of the League of Women Voters and Women’s Political Caucus. When not administering elections, Julie has volunteered at Auburn Valley Humane Society, Ashley House, Northwest Adoption Exchange, Northwest Harvest and Puget Sound Goat Rescue.

Tina Budell
Kent County Council, Pos. 1

Tina Budell is a strong advocate for Kent's working class families, and believes in making the Kent Valley a safe community for all families. She is the past president of the North Park Neighborhood Council.

Brenda Fincher
Kent City Council

Brenda Fincher has put her background in finance to use as a member of the Kent City Council, where she has a focus on providing people with vital services that they need and working to ensure that tax policies are fair for all Kent residents, to ensure that low-income and vulnerable people don’t bear a disproportionate burden. Brenda represents the City of Kent on the King Conservation Advisory Committee, and has served on committees regarding parks, and strategic planning for the city’s police department. She was instrumental in developing Kent’s homeless shelter for women that included resources for transition to stable housing. In addition to her prior work at Equifax, Brenda has chaired multiple PTA organizations, helped create the nationally acclaimed Kent School District’s Diversity Task Force Plan, and has received recognition for her work in the community.

Claudia Balducci
King County Council, Pos. 6
Dual Endorsement

Claudia Balducci currently serves as the Mayor of Bellevue, and aims to bring her regional policy experience to the King County Council. Claudia first began her public service by working to improve her neighborhood in Bellevue, Lake Hills. Since then, she has worked as a lawyer specializing in labor law, and as the Director of the King County Department of Juvenile and Adult Detention, where she instituted cost-saving measures and criminal justice reform.

As the Mayor of Bellevue, Claudia represents her community on the Puget Sound Regional Council, the Sound Transit Board, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and more. In addition to her regional work on transportation policy, she is also the liaison for stakeholder groups focusing on wraparound services and the arts.  

Jane Hague
King County Council, Pos. 6
Dual Endorsement

Jane Hague has worked with organizations that have helped those who have been homeless along with victims of domestic violence. She has led on efforts to increase and improve affordable housing, early child learning, youth services, local schools and the arts.

She began her public service work on the Bellevue Planning Commission. Later, she was elected to the Bellevue City Council and helped pave the way for Bellevue’s growth and success with her consistent support of balanced, responsible budgets and her work to keep property taxes low. At the same time, she was appointed as manager of the King County Records and Elections Division and made an instant impact modernizing and streamlining the office and working to make sure our elections are conducted with integrity.

Shelley Kloba
Kirkland City Council 
Position 2

Council Member Kloba was appointed to the Kirkland City Council in March 2013, and after that was reelected to serve her second term. She currently serves as the Chair of the Public Works, Parks, and Human Services Committee and on the Disability Board, City/School District Coordinating Committee.

Previously she served as the Legislative Director of the Washington State Parent Teacher Association, and currently serves as a trustee for the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. In addition to her council duties, she received her degree in Kinesiology and still practices as a massage therapist. Council Member Kloba wants to work to make sure the City of Kirkland is a healthy place for kids and families to live. She resides in the Juanita neighborhood with her husband and daughter.

Megan Sheridan
Maple Valley City Council
Position 5

A real estate agency for John L. Scott, Megan Sheridan is a lifelong Washington resident who is running to make Maple Valley a stronger community for working families. A former small business owner, Megan understands the challenges that small, Main Street businesses face in a tight economy. Megan was inspired by her work of connecting and networking businesses to found Cash Mobs for Maple Valley, Hobart, Ravensdale and Black Diamond. Through Cash Mobs, Megan helps funnel local dollars to local businesses and causes in need. Megan is running for City Council to refocus the city's efforts on local economic development and community engagement.

Cynthia Adkins
Medina City Council
Position 4

Cynthia Adkins has over 20 years of experience as a business attorney working to support biotech and tech companies in Washington state and across the country. Cynthia co-founded Adkins, Plant, Elvins & Black in 2003, a majority woman-owned firm. Cynthia is committed to elevating the role of women in biotech and STEM. She founded the Seattle chapter of Women in Bio, a non-profit dedicated to promoting careers, leadership and entrepreneurship for women and girls in life sciences. She also founded the Seattle chapter of Elevate Network, a global professional women's network. Cynthia is passionate, brilliant, and true on her values. She is running in Medina, where there are no women on City Council currently, and is committed deeply to the fight for women's equity.

Dr. Sheree Wen
Medina City Council
Position 5

Sheree Wen, PhD., is a renowned leader in technology, a former IBM vice president and the founder of Wen Technologies. Sheree is fiercely dedicated to women's rights and equity. She has a deep understanding of Medina's needs and challenges, and is committed to ensuring that City Council is serving the diversity of families and needs in Medina's growing community.

Jane Meyer Braham
Mercer Island City Council
Position 1

Jane Meyer Brahm moved to Mercer Island in 1976 and has been active in the community ever since. She began working at the Mercer Island Reporter in the early 1980s and was editor and general manager from 1993 to 2003. Under her leadership the Reporter was recognized for excellence in journalism both regionally and nationally and achieved an all-time high in circulation. She retired in 2003, worked as a freelancer and is currently editing and writing an updated Mercer Island history.

Wendy Weiker
Mercer Island City Council 
Position 3

Wendy Weiker has lived on Mercer Island for over 10 years with her family, and she is running for Mercer Island City Council to make sure the city is carefully planning for smart growth and maintaining the strong sense of community. Wendy has over 15 years of public relations experience facilitaitng and leading community engagement programs for private companies and nonprofit organizations. She has her Masters of Public Administration from the UW Evans School of Public Affairs and has been a Mercer Island Utility Board member since 2010.

Debbie Bertlin 
Mercer Island City Council 
Position 7

Councilmember Debbie Bertlin was elected to the City of Mercer Island City Council in 2011. Her areas of focus are parks and recreation, public safety and transportation. She is the mother of two daughters and believes that strong role models that bring about change are ones who actively participate and lead.

She has been in the IT industry for more than 18 years focusing on emerging technologies and markets. She held previous positions with Microsoft and Oracle that allowed her to travel the world. She has a deep commitment to Mercer Island having moved there as a child in 1976, she graduated from Mercer Island High School in 1982.

Courtney Gregoire
Port of Seattle Commissioner

Port Commissioner Courtney Gregoire serves as commission co-president, in addition to her role as the senior attorney in Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit. She remains committed to supporting communities in Washington through improved education, quality employment and increased trade opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses.

In her position at Microsoft, Courtney fights technology-facilitated crime against vulnerable populations including children and the elderly. She serves on the Board of the International Center for Missing & Exploited Children. She previously served as deputy chief of staff to then-Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and legislative director to U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell.

Marion Yoshino
Port of Seattle Commission

Marion Yoshino served as the Economic Development Manager for the City of Des Moines. In that capacity, she worked with business leaders around the Northwest to bring new jobs and economic opportunities to South King County. From 2008 through 2013, she served as a Councilmember for the City of Normandy Park, Washington. Since 2002, Marion and her family have owned an import/export business for European auto parts, French Parts Service. The company brings shipments through the Port of Seattle on a regular basis. Marion has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Washington and a B.A. in Political Science from Carleton College in Minnesota. After receiving her undergraduate degree she lived in Kobe, Japan, teaching English as a foreign language. This is where she met her husband of 25 years, Kenji Yoshino.

Angela Birney
Redmond City Council

Angela Birney is running to building a strong future for Redmond, one that accomodates the massive growth coming to the city while balancing the downtown and Main Street character that so many cherish about it. Angela is the city's Parks and Trails Commission chair as well as a former middle school science teacher. She holds a master's degree in education from Heritage University and a bachelor's degree in biology from Eastern Washington University.

Monique Taylor-Swan
Renton City Council
Position 4

Monique Taylor-Swan is an active member of the Renton community and a strong supporter of women and girls. Monique is currently employed as a homecare provider for seniors with disabilities and serves on the executive board of SEIU 775. She is passionate about bettering the lives of underserved communities in Renton and south King County as well as standing as a fierce advocate for women's rights. Monique will be a committed leader to the people of Renton.

Ruth Perez-Madrigal
Renton City Council
Position 6

Born and raised in Mexico City, she majored in Communications in college and landed a prestigious job as a TV reporter for the largest Spanish-speaking network in the world: Televisa. As a journalist in Mexico, she founded three magazines which dealt with the culture, issues and events which were captivating the public’s interest. Ruth owns and operates her own consulting business, and formerly worked for the Mexico Consulate in Seattle for over 10 years. During her tenure at the Consulate’s office, Ruth traveled all over Washington state bringing educational programs to diverse school districts and developing strategic plans to reduce the educational achievement gap among Spanish speaking students. She also implemented the first educational programs offered to the Spanish-speaking population at the Federal Detention Center. This program provided inmates with an opportunity to spend their leisure time in focused, constructive activities. Ruth moved to Seattle in 1997, studying English as a second language at the University of Washington and then finishing her Master’s Degree in 2000. Before graduation, however, she became involved in Washington’s dynamic economic development potential. In 1998, Ruth became the cultural liaison for Governor Gary Locke’s Department of Trade and Economic Development helping the Governor plan his first trade mission to Mexico. Governor Locke was accompanied by over 100 key business and education leaders from throughout the State, and it was Ruth’s job to arrange press conferences, interviews, and press coverage as well as provide support and advice to the Washington delegation and Governor Locke.

Christie Malchow
Sammamish City Council 
Position 2

A former woman in STEM and committed community advocate, Christie Malchow is running for Sammamish City Council to promote responsible growth, financial accountability, and local transportation improvements. Christie formerly worked at Johnson&Johnson as well as at medical device and biotech companies in Denver, Colorado. An involved mother, she supporter her family business and helps raise her two young daughters. Christie is an active member of Citizens for Sammamish and was an active member of the YES campaign for Sammamish's special election in 2015. She most recently participated in the Issaquah School District 2016 Bond Feasibility Committee and is an active Sammamish Rotary Club member.

Mia Su-Ling Gregerson
SeaTac City Council
Position 7

Mia Su-Ling Gregerson is a fourth generation resident of SeaTac where she has served on City Council since 2008 and currenty serves as the city's mayor. Mia also represents the city of SeaTac as well as other parts of south King County in the Washington State Legislature as the representative from the 33rd legislative district. A staunch advocate for social justice, Mia has fought for equitable and forward looking solutions for transportation, education, social services and small businesses in SeaTac.

Shannon Braddock
Seattle City Council 
Position 1
Dual endorsement

Shannon Braddock is a long time resident and active volunteer in West Seattle who has worked for the past four years as Chief of Staff to County Councilmember Joe McDermott.

At the King County Council, Braddock works alongside McDermott on a range of issues, including supporting strong investments in transit, viaduct mitigation, and critical funds for human services such as the Youth and Young Adult Homelessness Initiative and the Greenbridge Public Health Center.

A mother of three Seattle Public School students, Braddock served as the Legislative Representative on the Lafayette Elementary PTA. Braddock currently serves on the board of WestSide Baby and spent more than three years on the West Seattle Food Bank Board where she led their strategic planning process. She received her Masters in Public Administration from the Evans School at the University of Washington.

Lisa Herbold
Seattle City Council 
Position 1
Dual endorsement

Lisa Herbold is a veteran public policy advocate, having spent 17 years at City Hall working for Councilmember Nick Licata.

During her time with Councilmember Licata, Lisa helped craft and pass public policy that includes Paid Sick Leave for the 190,000 Seattle workers, a Rental Housing Inspection Program for 250,000 renter households, and an acclaimed criminal justice diversion program. served on the boards of Neighborhood House, Homestead Community Land Trust, the Tenants Union, and the Young Adult Independent Living Project.

Tammy Morales 
Seattle City Council 
Position 2

Tammy Morales is principal of Urban Food Link, a nationally recognized firm specializing in food systems policy and healthy community planning. She is also a dedicated community advocate and is a member of the Columbia City Business Association, the King County Local Food Economy Initiative, and the Rainier Beach Moving Forward Steering Committee.

Tammy’s work has earned her a solid reputation as a food systems leader in the Puget Sound region, where she continues to advise policy makers at the local, county and regional levels. The Seattle City Council has adopted many of Tammy’s policy recommendations, including convening a series of listening sessions to engage the community in conversations about how better to support our local food system.

Pamela Banks
Seattle City Council
Position 3
Dual endorsement

Pamela Banks is currently the CEO and President of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and is the second woman to hold the position in the league’s history to hold the position. Under her leadership, the league has continued its historic program that focuses on reducing economic and social disparities in education, employment, housing and health focused on African Americans and low income communities in Seattle and throughout the Puget Sound Region.

Pamela has served on multiple boards including Capitol Hill Housing, Rainier Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Seattle International Baseball League, and is a founding board member of the Garfield High School Foundation. She currently sits on the executive committee and board for the Alliance for Education, is a lifetime member of the University of Washington Alumni Association, and is President of her condominium association.

Kshama Sawant
Seattle City Council
Position 3 
Dual endorsement

Kshama Sawant has served on the Seattle City Council since her election in 2013, which marked the first instance of a socialist being elected in Seattle in 100 years. As a councilmember, she delivered on her campaign promise to make Seattle the first major city to pass a $15/hour minimum wage.

Kshama’s focus in 2015 is tackling the crisis of skyrocketing rents by fighting for rent control, for a Tenants’ Bill of Rights, and for the city to build thousands of high-quality apartments rented at below-market rates. She is working to fully fund a world-class public transit system and implement Municipal Broadband as an alternative to the slow and expensive Comcast and Centurylink monopolies.

Prior to her service as a City Council member, Kshama was an economics teacher at Seattle Central Community College. She is also the American Federation of Teachers Local 1789 delegate to the Martin Luther King County Labor Council.

Debora Juraez
Seattle City Council 
Position 5

Debora Juarez has resided in North Seattle for the better part of 30 years, working for her community as an attorney, King County Superior Court Judge and as the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs. Experienced in economic development and legal advocacy, Debora formerly chaired the Tribal Finance Group at Morgan Stanley and leads the tribal practice at Williams Kastner. An enrolled Blackfeet tribal member, Debora grew up in public housing on the Puyallup Reservation.

Catherine Weatbrook
Seattle City Council
Position 6

Born and raised in Seattle, Catherine Weatbrook has lived in District 6 for over 20 years. Catherine has an Engineering Degree from University of Washington, and Dan has a Business Degree from UW as well. Their son Alex, in his his fourth year at Washington State University, is studying Civil Engineering, and is a fourth year oarsman for the men’s Crew Team. With her experience, perseverance, and passion for her community, Catherine has become the “go to” person for our neighborhoods. Catherine has provided many years of service to our community in her work on transportation, environment, safety and crime and housing.

Sally Bagshaw
Seattle City Council
Position 7

Councilmember Sally Bagshaw was first elected to City Council in 2009 after eight years as Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor of the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. There she led a staff of over 60 lawyers that advised Executive Ron Sims, Sheriff Sue Rahr, King County Council members, Metro Transit, Harborview Medical Center and the other agencies of the nation's 13th largest county.

Sally began her legal career as an Assistant Attorney General. As Chief of the Civil Division for the County, she represented the Transportation, Natural Resources, and Real Property divisions. She has also served as a lawyer for Washington State University and the University of Washington.

M. Lorena González
Seattle City Council
Position 9

Lorena González is an attorney and civil rights leader. She has recently served as a senior advisor and legal counsel to Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. Lorena has helped implement historic minimum wage and worker protections alongside the mayor, unions and progressive leaders. Before working for the Murray administration, Lorena represented women, older workers, low-wage workers and people of color in employment, wage theft, and gender discrimination cases.

Lorena developed a community-private partnership to organize a free monthly bilingual legal clinic, which has served more than 2,000 low-income Seattle residents. She is also the president emeritus of OneAmerica, the state’s largest immigrant and civil rights organization. As well, she served on the Seattle Police Accountability Review Panel and the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.

Lorena is a past president of the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington’s Board of Directors and was a board member from 2003–2008. In 2009, the Hispanic National Bar Association recognized her as one of seven Top Lawyers Under 40 in the country. Washington Law & Politics recognized Lorena as a Rising Star in Employment Law from 2010-2014.

Jessica Cafferty
Shoreline City Council
Position 2

As a preschool teacher in Shoreline, Jessica Cafferty sees every day the struggles families face trying to access the resources they need to make ends meet. Jessica is running for City Council to build on and grow its strong quality of life and make sure all families can benefit from what the city has to offer. Jessica is particularly passionate about fighting for working moms in Shoreline, she is a strong supporter of local laws on pay equity, sick and safe leave, and housing affordability.

Doris McConnell
Shoreline City Council
Position 4

Doris McConnell has been part of the Shoreline community for more than 25 years. As a City Councilmember, she has served and continues to serve locally on the Regional Water Quality Committee, Domestic Violence Initiative and Seashore Transportation Forum as well as nationally on the Human Development Steering Committee.

Her work with the Domestic Violence Initiative supports advocacy programs, government, healthcare, mental health services, and community organizations to improve the legal system’s response to domestic violence.

Kate Kruller
Tukwila City Council
Position 6

Kate Kruller is currently the president of Tukwila City Council where she just finished her first, fourt-year term. Kate also currently serves as the President of the Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District Board of Commissioners. Kruller has lived and worked in Tukwila for many years and became a homeowner in the community in 1992. She brings with her a 30-plus year professional career, featuring broad experience in project management and information technology, currently working at the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts.

Elaine Cook
Woodinville City Council
Position 4

Elaine Cook works at the Northshore School District as a classified substitute and has previously worked as a paraeducator in local schools. Elaine is an active community member, serving as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner in the City of Woodinville. She is passionate about sound and responsible development in Woodinville, and passionate about local government issues.

PIERCE COUNTY 

Robin Farris
Puyallup City Council, Pos. 1

Robin Farris is a Navy veteran who served for twenty-three years in different locations around the world, including Japan, Iceland, California, and the UK, but is also a Puyallup native who is passionate about her community. Since her retirement from the Navy, Farris has worked as a learning and development specialist with insurance companies, and also as a small business manager.

She has always had a passion for civic matters, but she realized her passion for engagement when she headed the recall initiative for former Assessor-Treasurer Dale Washam, which significantly impacted the following election and voter education. If elected, she wants to directly address issues of infrastructure, public safety, and budget processes and ensure government cooperation and understanding of the community they are serving.

SAN JUAN COUNTY 

Monica Harrington
San Juan Island Hospital District Commissioner

Monica Harrington is the past co-chair of Washington Women for Choice and serves as a strategist on issues related to the intersection of religion and health care. She also runs the website CatholicWatch, which raises awareness of the influence of Catholic doctrine on medical decisions and policy in publicly supported health care institutions.

Harrington has spoken across Washington state and the U.S. on topics related to religion and health care. She supports thePatient Bill of Rights recently adopted by the County Board of Health and will work hard to make those rights come to life.

Before becoming a patient advocate, Harrington was a technology executive. She helped start two successful companies: Valve and Picnik. Valve is the world's largest online PC game distribution company, and Picnik was the world’s most popular online photo editing site before its sale to Google in 2010. Harrington also worked at Microsoft, where she managed the public relations launch and product reviews strategy for Word, Excel, and Office. As well, she served as a senior policy officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

SKAGIT COUNTY

Jill Boudreau
Mount Vernon Mayor

Jill is a wife, mom, friend, and committed public servant. She and her husband Dan celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary this year and are parents to two adult children. Before settling in Mount Vernon, the Boudreau’s traveled the globe while Dan completed a 20-year career in the United States Marine Corps. The Boudreau’s served at Camp Pendleton, California, Japan, Uruguay, and Malaysia. Prior to winning election in 2011, Jill served as the Community Liaison for Hospice of the Northwest, providing education about hospice services and coordinated outreach efforts in Skagit, San Juan, Island, and Snohomish counties. From 2002 – 2009, she worked for the City of Mount Vernon Police Department beginning as the receptionist, and finishing her services as a Community Service Officer. While there, she received multiple awards for superior service to the Department and Mount Vernon residents. Jill achieved a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, and a certificate in municipal leadership from the Association of Washington Cities.

SNOHOMISH COUNTY

Since being elected as the Mayor of Arlington in 2011, Barb Tolbert has worked to improve the conditions in the city of Arlington by improving and stabilizing its finances, working with state and local governments to fund important projects in the city, and received acclaim for her leadership on the coordination of the disaster response and help for the families of victims of the mudslide in Arlington’s neighboring city, Oso. Before becoming Mayor, Barb was the Executive Director of the Arlington Fly-in, and remains involved in aerospace economic development in the region. She wants to improve the city’s economic development, public safety, and more. Barb currently represents the City of Arlington in several regional working groups, including Snohomish Cities and Towns, the Executive Board of the Puget Sound Regional Council, and more.

Davina Duerr
Bothell City Council, Pos. 6

Davina is an active community member in Bothell running to improve the city's long term planning for growth and density. A practicing architect, Davina also serves on a number of community organizations including the Northshore Schools Foundation, Milk Money Campaign, and as the chair of the Bothell Landmark Preservation Board. She is a strong supporter of greater access to transit, open spaces, and walkable communities. Davina is running to make Bothell City Council more transparent and accountable to the citizens it serves. 

Diane Buckshnis
Edmonds City Council, Pos. 4

Diane Buckshnis has a highly-respected background in business and finance as an operational auditor and credit examiner. She received her degree in Business Administration with a minor in Finance and Psychology. She has experience in both the private and public sector as a credit examiner, work she traveled all over the world to do. In her community in Edmonds, Diane helped establish a non-profit to steward the off-leash dog park in the city, served as Director of the Edmonds Art Festival for five years, and serves on several boards of organizations that serve the community.

She is running for reelection to the Edmonds City Council, Position 4. As a member of the City Council she serves on the Lake Ballinger Work Group, Salmon Recovery WRIA-8, and Snohomish County Tomorrow. Diane is focused on fiscal transparency, improving the Edmonds Senior Center, and protection of environmental ecosystems in the area.

Alicia Crank
Edmonds City Council, Pos. 5 

Alicia Crank recently moved to Edmonds from Mountain View, Calif., and is seeking Position five on the Edmonds City Council.

In March, she was appointed to the Sister City Commission and currently works as client services coordinator for SBI Management Services in Seattle. Previously in California, she served as program director for Leadership Mountain View, a program of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce. She has also worked in the banking industry as well as sales and marketing in the tech sector. Alicia has strong skills in event planning, relationship management, marketing, customer service and program and development.

Lora Petso
Edmonds City Council, Pos. 7

Lora Petso is a small business owner who has lived in Edmonds for over twenty years. She has served on the Edmonds City Council since 2010 and served as the Council president in 2013. She first served on the Council between 2000 and 2003. Lora is a smart, analytical, and honest leader with a strong commitment to community activism. She takes pride in buiding a collaborative environment and deserves to continue working for the citizens of Edmonds.

Carin Chase
Edmonds School Board, Dist. 1

Carin Chase is the current Chair of the 32nd LD Democrats, and Senior Director of Innovation Services LLC in Edmonds. She has an incredibly active history of advocacy and outreach with her community, serving as a Home Care Provider for SEIU 775NW, an Outreach Specialist for the “Yes on 522” campaign, and numerous volunteer positions with the 32nd LD Democrats.

Due to her commitment to community engagement and outreach, Chase was honored with the Civic Recognition Award for aiming to provide more opportunities for the city of Edmonds.

Cassie Franklin 
Everett City Council, Pos. 4

Cassie Franklin is the CEO of Cocoon House, with more than 20 years of experience in communications, community relations, business, administration, and development. As a leader in the field of youth homelessness, she collaborates with peers regionally and nationally to address and prevent chronic homelessness for healthier communities.

This past year Franklin served on the Everett Community Streets Initiative, working with fellow community leaders to examine innovative and cost-effective ways to address street-level social issues and make Everett safer and stronger while supporting downtown growth and business development.

Franklin has served on a number of local, statewide, and national boards, groups and organizations, including the Housing Consortium of Snohomish County, the Families Matter Vision Council for United Way of Snohomish County, the Homeless Policy Task Force, the Statewide Coordinating Committee on Trafficking, and Rotary Club of South Everett-Mukilteo.

Brenda Stonecipher
Everett City Council, Pos. 6

Brenda is a a life long resident of Everett. After graduating from Cascade High School, Brenda continued her education at the University of Washington earning a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Master of Business Administration. Brenda served as Director at the Bank of Everett, and currently works as the Chief Financial Officer at the Epiphany School in Seattle. Brenda is currently serving her third term on the Everett City Council, ensuring we balance our city budget the way families do every day.

Judy Tuohy
Everett City Council, Pos. 7

Judy Tuohy is a native Everett resident who grew up in the Seahurst and Claremont neighborhoods. She worked previously as a high school teacher and then later as a department store manager and buyer. After six years as a stay at home mom, she returned to teaching at Snohomish School District. In 1995, she was hired as the executive director of the Arts Council of Snohomish County. She has led Schack Art Center for nearly 20 years. Judy is a strong advocate for community arts programs and economic development. A strong supporter of women leaders, Judy works tirelessly to recruit and mentor other women who are passionate about improving their communities through civic participation.

Nicole Thomsen
Mukilteo City Council 

Nicole is the proud mother of two active elementary-aged girls, and it’s important for her to show them what it means to stand up and make a difference. She moved to Mukilteo 10 years ago and is a member of the Planning Commission. She is committed to creating a vibrant and healthy Mukilteo, where residents of all ages connect with the city and have a voice. Tackling priorities that include: creating safe and healthy sustainable city services, pay equality, and health equity. Currently, Nicole works at Public Health – Seattle & King County, managing the Healthy Housing program that seeks to reduce housing-related health issues such as asthma, lead poisoning and falls, using policies and systems change.

Karen Guzak
Snohomish City Council, Pos. 2

Karen Guzak moved to Seattle to pursue her passion for art.

Over the years she has exhibited extensively nationally and abroad; in galleries, museums, and beyond. Karen has been commissioned to create numerous public art projects for the King County Council Chambers in Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the Overlake Transit Center in Redmond and more.

In addition to art, Karen has served on the Snohomish City Council since 2007 and served as Mayor of Snohomish County. She previously served as a member and chair of the City's Design Review Board and as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee that developed the City's Strategic Plan.

Stephanie Wright
Snohomish City Council, Pos. 3

Stephanie is a strong, committed leader for the people of Snohomish County. She is dedicated to responsible, transparent government that works for the community it serves. Stephanie is dedicated to developing local businesses in Snohomish County and working toward a shared vision for development and transportation in Snohomish County. A committed educator who understands the importance of strong schools, Stephanie was a high school teacher at Woodinville High School and a librarian at Northshore School District.

Linda Hjelle 
Snohomish County Assessor 

Linda Hjelle has served in the Assessor’s Office for over twenty-five years, including eleven years as Chief Deputy. As Chief Deputy, Hjelle was instrumental in implementing cost-saving techniques, efficiency reviews, and utilizing the latest developments in technology to improve accuracy and better serve residents.

Hjelle is also a dedicated community activist. She is a member of numerous local organizations and devotes a significant amount of her time to volunteer efforts such as the Soroptimists, the League of Women Voters, Fire District 17 Christmas House, Relay-for-life, and the Granville Grange.

As County Assessor, Hjelle hopes to provide the citizens of Snohomish county with transparent, and easy to access information. She also wants to ensure the citizens are given fair and equitable assessed values based on market evidence, and updated and efficient systems through the utilization of new technology.

Sonya Kraski
Snohomish County Clerk

Sonya Kraski is a truly dedicated public servant that began her work in the Snohomish County Clerk’s office at the age nineteen. Since then, she has worked for three years in cashiering, twelve years in the courtroom, six years managing the court services, and was elected County Clerk in 2008.

During her time in office, Kraski has dealt with major budget concerns, empowered her team through difficult setbacks, and has introduced an efficient and environmentally-conscious paperless initiative. Due to her significant experience in the County Clerk’s office, Kraski is well-equipped to face new issues.

Kraski also cares deeply about the integrity of the court system, as she stated in an interview with Everett Community College Alumni Spotlight, “The reason I ran for this position to begin with is because I feel so very strongly about the role that the court system plays in our democracy.” She works hard to make sure that the citizens of Snohomish county feel that their court system is transparent and accountable, and she wants to continue working to make it a secure and efficient service for her community in the coming term.

Carolyn Eslick
Mayor of Sultan

Carolyn Eslick is a tireless advocate for women's leadership who has continuously used her time in office to mentor other women leaders and build ladders of opportunities for young women. Carolyn is the current mayor of Sultan. While in office Carolyn has focused on developing local, Main Street businesses in Sultan. She will continue to serve the people of Sultan with integrity and vigor.

SPOKANE COUNTY 

Lori Kinnear
Spokane City Council, Dist. 2

Lori Kinnear is a former small business owner who remains committed to helping the small business community thrive. She previously served as a small business advisor to the Women’s Business Center helping women entrepreneurs identify resources and market their business.

Since 2008, Lori has served as a Spokane City Council legislative assistant; most recently with Council Member Amber Waldref. In that capacity she worked on a variety of legislation including mitigating human trafficking, curbing aggressive panhandling and securing abandoned properties.

She is a Washington native with deep family roots in Eastern Washington. After high school she earned a bachelor degree in journalism and an applied science degree in horticulture.

Karen Stratton
Spokane City Council, Dist. 3

Karen Stratton is a lifelong resident of Spokane. She has years of experience in state and local government, higher education and the private sector. Karen worked as a legislative aide in the Washington State House of Representatives for four legislative sessions, she was employed by Washington State University-Spokane for 10 years and spent four years at the Community Colleges of Spokane Training and Education Coordinating Center. In addition, she worked three years in the private sector spearheading community relations and philanthropic activities to local nonprofit agencies.

Karen has worked for the City of Spokane since 2005. She served as an aide to Mayor Jim West and to Mayor Mary Verner. She also worked as the public information coordinator for the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System. Karen also worked in the Office of the City Clerk for the City of Spokane. In 2014, Karen was appointed to the Spokane City Council where she fights for women’s rights, including eliminating the gender gap, demanding equal pay and pushing the City of Spokane to hire more women.

THURSTON COUNTY 

Cheryl Selby is a business owner in Olympia with a diverse background in both the public and private sectors. She currently owns “Vivala,” a women’s store in Olympia through which she strives to encourage and empower her fellow female citizens in their business ventures, while also providing a haven for Olympia’s women. When Selby first moved to Olympia, she worked with the Parks and Recreation department for two years. She volunteered in the Olympia School District as an Art Partner, PTA President, Levy Campaign volunteer, and eventually co-chaired the successful 2003 Bond Campaign, which all contributed to her desire to strengthen and build communications in her community. In 2003, Selby took a position with the City of Olympia in the Probation Services Department directing the Safe and Sober Driving Program and the Thurston County Safe Kids Coalition. Both positions emphasized community safety and injury prevention. The program involved working with the Thurston County DUI Task Force and facilitating the Victim Impact Panels.

Jessica Bateman
Olympia City Council, Pos. 2

Since 2014, Jessica Bateman has served Olympia as a member of the city’s planning commissioner. She serves as the finance subcommittee chair. Bateman has also worked in state, local government, and the nonprofit sector in environmental planning and government relations. She is currently a legislative aide in the Washington State House of Representatives advocating for the citizens of the 22nd legislative district.

Bateman’s priorities for Olympia include safe, walkable neighborhoods including downtown; maintaining and expanding parks and creating additional open spaces; and partnering with business to ensure a healthy local economy.

Bateman volunteers with several Olympia organizations and is a proponent of environmental sustainability and locally sourced foods. She serves on the board of the local nonprofit GRuB, which partners with youth and low-income individuals to empower personal and community food solutions.

Judy Bardin
Olympia City Council, Pos. 2

Judy is a registered nurse who works for the state of Washington on environmental health issues. Judy currently serves as a planning commissioner for the City of Olympia and has volunteered with the Olympia Utilities Advisory Committee, the Heritage Commission, and the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations. 

In 2014, Bardin received the Key Award for the Washington Coalition for Open Government. She was honored for blowing the whistle on a series of private meetings between developers and other planning commissioners. Judy has a doctorate focused on epidemiology, is a Democratic PCO for the 13th legislative district, and is a member of the Washington Federation of State Employees Local 533 Political Action Committee.

E.J. Zita
Olympia Port Commissioner, Dist. 3

EJ Zita is a faculty member at Evergreen State college, where she teaches courses on climate change, sustainability, mathematics and physics. Through mentorship, she and her research students have shown that the college can provide much of its energy renewably. Zita was also a founding member of Evergreen’s faculty union, and her campaign has the support of the Thurston county union. Zita is the chair of the Thurston County Agriculture Committee, the President of the Salmon Creek Basin Neighborhood Association, and has successfully worked with the City of Tumwater to pass a warehouse ordinance, and with Thurston County to pass a noise ordinance. EJ Zita has worked for many years to strengthen Thurston County's neighborhoods, farms, environment and economy, and hopes to continue her work as Port Commissioner.

WHATCOM COUNTY 

April Barker
Bellingham City Council, Ward 1

April Barker, Birchwood Neighborhood Association President and owner of Northwest Muscle Mechanics, is a Bellingham native since 1999. Over the past several years, she has worked on city, port and public education committees and developed partnerships across a variety of organizations.

April has worked toward neighborhood revitalization by directly addressing difficult issues such as homelessness and neighborhood safety. She has demonstrated a unique ability to motivate others to rally behind a cause and has helped create a strong sense of community.

Barker holds a Master’s Degree in human movement and performance with an emphasis in sports psychology from Western Washington University and owns a small business called Northwest Muscle Mechanics.

Kelli Linville
Mayor of Bellingham

Kelli Linville, a fourth-generation Whatcom County resident, small business owner, educator and former state legislator with more than four decades of community service, became the Mayor of Bellingham on January 1, 2012.

Mayor Linville was elected to a four-year term, and is the City of Bellingham’s first woman mayor. She brings to her position a great passion for community service and excellence in government, and decades of experience as a public servant. She worked for 16 years as a speech pathologist in the Bellingham Public Schools and was active in the Bellingham Education Association, including serving as the organization’s president in 1989.

She was elected in 1992 to represent the 42nd District in the Washington State House of Representatives, serving 1993-1994. She lost her bid for re-election, only to be appointed to fill a vacant seat in 1995. She won seven successive re-election bids for her 42nd District seat, serving through December 2010, for a total legislative service of 17 years. While in the state legislature, Mayor Linville chaired the House Ways and Means Committee where she stewarded the state through the first parts of one of the most devastating economic crises since the Great Depression. A staunch advocate for small business and economic development, Mayor Linville has spearheaded countless efforts to improve opportunities for Whatcom's Main Street proprietors and support retention of family-wage jobs at port and industrial facilities around Whatcom County. 

Roxanne Murphy
Bellingham City Council, At Large

Roxanne Murphy was first elected to Bellingham City Council in 2013, becoming the first Native American elected to the governing body and winning with nearly three-quarters of the vote. Since being elected to office, Roxanne has championed the conservation of Lake Whatcom, the city's drinking water source. She also recently introduced a paid sick and safe leave ordinance which would make Bellingham the third city in the state to require paid sick and safe days for all employees. Roxanne has also focused on improving public safety and protecting Whatcom County's natural resources. A member of the Nooksack Tribe, Roxanne earned her bachelor's degree from Central Washington University and a master's in public administration from The Evergreen State College. Roxanne currently works as the Youth Director for the Nooksack Tribal Government where she practices her passion for helping to build the next generation of leaders for her tribe and the wider Bellingham community. 

YAKIMA COUNTY 

Dulce Gutiérrez
Yakima City Council, Dist. 1

Dulce Gutiérrez intends to knock on every door in her district, East Yakima, to represent her home neighborhood in the newly created district system in the City of Yakima. The first in her family to go to college, and a graduate of the University of Washington, Dulce wants to work to serve the community she was raised in. She serves as the Operations Manager for a local business, has managed a state legislative campaign, and served as the State Committeewoman for Yakima County and as a Precinct Committee Officer.

Dulce wants to make sure that children being raised in Yakima have access to after school programs, safe neighborhoods that are livable with sidewalks and lighting, and improved economic development for small businesses. She wants to be a grassroots candidate who understands her community’s issues, because East Yakima was traditionally underrepresented on the Yakima City Council until this year.

Avina Cristal Gutiérrez
Yakima City Council, Dist. 2

Avina Gutiérrez is the owner and Principal Consultant of the 6 Points Management & Consulting firm in Yakima. She was raised in Yakima, pursued her degree at the University of Texas, El Paso, worked as the Office Manager of Texas State Senator Jose Rodriguez, and returned to Yakima to better her community with the knowledge and experienced she had gained.

Gutierrez is an avid community volunteer, and recently finished coordinating the Miss Cinco De Mayo contest for the third year in a row, which awards over $5,000 in scholarships to the young women of Yakima for the pursuit of higher education.

She is passionate about providing a more inclusive and safe environment for the families of District 2, which she believes can be done by improving vital infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, and streetlights to promote pride in the neighborhoods and deter vandalism and crime. Gutierrez is also devoted to working to ensure economic growth, and promoting the collaboration of city agencies and neighborhood associations to better serve the needs of residents.

Carmen Mendez
Yakima City Council, Dist. 3

Carmen Mendez is a City of Yakima planning commissioner. She also serves her community as the treasurer of the Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima & Kittitas County; Sunrise Outreach board member; and a Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce board member. Mendez’s priorities on City Council would be public safety, economic development and parks and recreation. She strongly supports downtown revitalization efforts that benefit the city and its economy. Mendez would also champion programs to lift homeless people out of poverty and lowering Yakima’s crime rate through more community involvement and hiring local officers. Mendez is the executive director of Safe Yakima Valley, a non-profit organization dedicated to making the Yakima Valley a safer place to live, work and raise a family. In this role, she has strengthened her ability to work with different organizations to achieve shared goals.

Holly Cousens
Yakima City Council, Dist. 7

Holly Cousens is a business technology instructor at Yakima Valley Community College and an accountant for Windermere Real Estate. She also works as a tax preparer, and says her positions have given her insights into the challenges people in her community face. Cousens’ top priorities on City Council would be fiscal responsibility in council decisions, pursuing smart economic development projects that fit Yakima’s culture and looking at public safety more holistically while ensuring that police have the necessary tools. Cousens has contributed her time to several community organizations. She has held a leadership position in a national marketing, management and entrepreneurship education organization as the National Western Region Vice President for Delta Epsilon Chi. Cousens has also served as the co-adviser for the Circle K International club at YVCC and a tutor in local schools, and contributed her time to many other local organizations.